Editing Ussans

{{References}}

{{Affiliation infobox

|name=Ussans

|formed=c. [[851 BCE]]

|dissolved=

}}

{{Quote|We are prepared to die fighting beside Ussa 'Xellus, in the struggle against the Covenant. This is honor, and honor is meaning.|The blood oath of Final Decision<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 35'' (Google Play edition)</ref>}}

Upon the colony's settling, the Ussans had a population of slightly over 400. By [[2552]], their numbers had risen to 3,210.<ref name="bc230">'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 230''</ref> In its later days the Ussan colony was affected by a disease known as the [[Blood Sickness]], caused by a malfunction in their protein synthesizers. They were rediscovered by a Covenant separatist resupply ship, ''[[Journey's Sustenance]]'', in [[2553]].

===Origins and establishment===

With the ratification of the [[Writ of Union]] and formation of the [[Covenant]] in [[852 BCE]], the [[Sangheili]] and [[Reformists|San'Shyuum]] were united. While many Sangheili were willing to accept the [[Covenant religion]] and become the protectors of the San'Shyuum, [[Kaidon]] [[Ussa 'Xellus]] saw the unification as a craven surrender by his own species to the San'Shyuum. Opposed to accepting the Covenant and its ideals, Ussa publicly announced his dissent towards the empire and warned the citizens of [[Xellus]] to not trust the San'Shyuum. In [[851 BCE]], the Covenant sent attack fighters to the state, and [[Xellus keep]] and many of the state's citizens were bombarded by the crafts. Ussa and several hundred of the state's residents, along with several allied [[clan]]s, fled Xellus and retreated to the isolated [[Nwari]] region at [[Sanghelios]]' southern pole. Using his clan's funds, Ussa purchased several vehicles and hid them in a nearby dormant volcano to support his rebellion. In order to recruit more allies for his insurgency, Ussa and his wife [[Sooln 'Xellus|Sooln]] traveled to the mining [[Sangheili colonies|colony]] of [[Creck]]. Meanwhile, the Covenant's [[Sangheili treaty commission]] had sent out assassins and spies to track 'Xellus.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 20-24'' (Google Play edition)</ref>

===Colonization of the Refuge===

{{Quote|Clanksfolk! You have trusted me thus far! I have taken you from one world to another! You must trust me here—we have crossed the [[Great Torrent]]! We cannot turn back! I believe we are safe here—the Covenant does not know of this world! It is an uncharted place and they are not likely to find it! If they approach, we will have ample warning. We will survive! We have food, water, air, and most of all, hope! Rejoice with me in this...and remember that true Sangheili are always prepared for self-sacrifice! This is our keep now! Our home! Yes—and it is Sanghelios! Because wherever we go...there also is Sanghelios!|Ussa delivering a speech to the Ussans{{Ref/Reuse|bc49}}}}

Upon arrival, the rebels started to establish a colony and their new home on the shield world, now called the "Refuge". Additionally, these Sangheili had begun to refer to themselves as "Ussans", a reference to their leader. A rough triumvirate of leaders was formed between Ussa, Sooln, and Ernicka. [[Enduring Bias]], the [[monitor]] of the shield world, chose to aid the Ussans and worked closely with the Ussan leadership, Sooln in particular. Several Sangheili were tasked with exploring the shield world and its functions; they intended to use the technologies found on the world to continue hiding from the Covenant, until the Ussans were able to combat the empire. Others were assigned to study the native fauna and to use analyzing technology to determine if the animals were safe for consumption. Meanwhile, [[Salus 'Crolon]] had begun to distrust Ussa. He openly expressed his doubts about Ussa's decision to relocate and his leadership capabilities to other Sangheili, especially to [[Tersa 'Gunok]]. 'Crolon formed a companionship with the like-minded [['Drem]], and the two began to plot against Ussa. At this time, Enduring Bias revealed the Refuge's Disassembler process to Ussa and Sooln; the shield world was capable of breaking apart and imitating an apparent [[self-destruct]]ing explosion, while remaining habitable. Not wishing to spread fear throughout the colony, Ussa decided to not inform his followers of the process.

===The Rending===

{{Quote|We will be safe here. The true Sangheili will grow in numbers and in strength. We will learn how to harness the power of the Forerunners. And those who follow us will one day take Sanghelios back.|Ussa 'Xellus, following the Rending<ref name="bc183">'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 183'' (Google Play edition)</ref>}}

With the arrival of the fleet, Ussa contemplated activating the Disassembler process, but decided to speak with the Covenant first, hoping to possibly negotiate a deal. Wishing to do the same,<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 168-170'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Inner Conviction sent a transmission to the Refuge—from the [[Covenant carrier|carrier]] ''[[Pledge of Holiness]]''—that was picked up by Enduring Bias. Bias presented the transmission to Ussa, allowing the two to see and hear each other. The Prophet of Inner Conviction offered to allow the Ussans to live free on Sanghelios, if Ussa and Sooln turned themselves in to face trial and [[capital punishment]]. Ussa feared that his people would still be persecuted for their rebellion; he instead offered to hand over Forerunner relics to the Covenant each [[cycle|solar cycle]] if the fleet withdrew. Inner Conviction knew the Covenant would not agree—as it would seem that the empire was weak if they compromised with a small insurgent group—and insisted that he surrendered for the sake of the Ussans. Again, Ussa declined and told Enduring Bias to end the transmission. In response, the [[Covenant military]] invaded the shield world. Ussa sent one final transmission to the Prophet of Inner Conviction: he warned the San'Shyuum that he was about to destroy the shield world and suggested for the Covenant to extract their warriors off the world. Trusting Ussa, Inner Conviction heeded the advice and evacuated all Covenant soldiers. As the Covenant fleet retreated to the shield world's orbit, Ussa and Bias activated the Disassembler process.<ref name="bc178">'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 178-181''</ref>

===Colonial decline===

As the colony continued to deteriorate, N'Zursa 'Xellus suggested that all vital supplies should be moved to the Primary Section. However, section captains disagreed, citing that it left their sections vulnerable and discounted them.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 259''</ref> Following N'Zursa's death, his nephew—[[Bal'Tol 'Xellus]]—was titled kaidon.<ref name="bc203">'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 203''</ref> After the failure of the irrigation systems of the eco level resulted in the die-off of many vegetation, as well as the simultaneous breakdown of the protein synthesizer, a savage group of Sangheili led by a Blood Sick marauder had begun feeding upon other Ussans that they deemed inferior. Known as the [[Blue Mandibles]], these Sangheili invaded parts of [[Section Two]]. Bal'Tol eventually led troops against the cannibals and slaughtered the faction.{{Ref/Reuse|bc225}}

In [[2552#November|November of 2552]], a Sangheili suffering from Blood Sickness, who identified himself as [[Oska 'Meln|'Kinsa]], claimed to be sharing his body with the spirit of 'Insa 'Greftus. 'Kinsa had gained a following of delusional Sangheili suffering from Blood Sickness. Bal'Tol, [[C'tenz]], and [[Tirk 'Surb]], the head of [[Refuge Security]], convened to discuss the situation and agreed that 'Kinsa and his followers must be executed or detained.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 206'' (Google Play edition)</ref> Soon, Bal'Tol, C'tenz, Tirk, priest [[Tup 'Quk]], and six heavily armed patrollers traveled to [[Section Five]] of the Refuge to arrest 'Kinsa and his followers. Bal'Tol offered the Blood Sick Sangheili a chance to live in isolation, until a cure for the disease could be found. A stand-off ensured as 'Kinsa refused to be apprehended. Suddenly, fifteen followers armed with [[mec-missiler]]s ambushed Bal'Tol and his troops. As a firefight broke out, Bal'Tol called in for a contingent of patrollers. As the firefight raged on, Bal'Tol was wounded by a mec-missiler, and Tirk was mortally wounded after downing many hostiles. As the patroller contingent arrived, 'Kinsa and eight other Blood Sick survivors fled from the battle.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''pages 229-233''</ref>

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===Reconnecting with the universe===

In [[2553]], following the outbreak of the [[Great Schism]], the colony was found by the supply ship ''[[Journey's Sustenance]]''. Amongst the crew was a [[Huragok]] named [[Sluggish Drifter]] and [[San'Shyuum]] [[Zo Resken]], descendant of the [[Prophet of Inner Conviction]] who had chosen to leave the Ussans alone after the Refuge was disassembled. Sluggish Drifter was able to repair [[Enduring Bias]] who killed 'Kinsa and aided the Ussans in putting down his rebellion. Together, Enduring Bias and Sluggish Drifter discovered the source of the [[Blood Sickness]] and created a cure. Enduring Bias was able to reconnect the pieces of [[the Refuge]], but there were not enough left to form a whole sphere, instead creating a circular structure similar to a [[Halo ring]]. The Ussans who wished to return to [[Sanghelios]] were allowed to do so though many remained on the Refuge.<ref>'''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]'''</ref>

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*The ''lower spirits'' were entities that were believed to be responsible for "animating" the machinery of the [[shield world]]. These spirits inspired the Refuge's repairers' guild.{{Ref/Reuse|bc225}}

*The ''Forerunner Sun'' and the ''Forerunner Moon''—with the latter serving as the former's consort—were thought to be responsible for governing the other gods of the colony. By [[2552]], these gods had become the primary focal point of the Ussan religion. [[Oska 'Meln]] later claimed to be the voice of the Forerunner Sun.{{Ref/Reuse|bc225}}

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==Technology==

The starships that the Ussans had originally used to travel to the shield world had been scavenged for parts for centuries after the colonization.{{Ref/Reuse|bc225}} The Ussans relied on protein synthesizers for nutrition. Repellent fields protected each section of the Refuge from rogue debris found throughout the [[Ussan system]]. However, by 2552, the fields were beginning to fail on some sections.

==List of appearances==

*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]'' {{1st}}

==Sources==